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Monday, November 28, 2011

If you haven't seen it, here it is; the official book trailer of the much anticipated Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare!

I love it and It's narrated by Ed Westwick <3!! I'm happy with the choice of actors, maybe except for Jem since he's supposed to be half-asian. Will is sooo handsome and the actor's pretty good. This made me even more excited than before. 7 days to go!

Friday, November 25, 2011

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It’s where we list all the books we desperately want but haven’t actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It’s also an event that you can join in with too – If you want to know more, click here.

Just for Fins

Hardcover: 272 pages

Release date:July 3rd, 2012

Publisher:Katherine Tegen Books

Goodreads Summary:When Lily Sanderson decided to remain Crown Princess Waterlily of the mermaid kingdom Thalassinia, she knew she couldn’t just coast along in the current. But since she’s spent the last couple of years on land—with gorgeous human Quince by her side—Lily’s not sure she has the fins to lead a kingdom. Even her maddeningly pretentious cousin Dosinia seems to know more about ruling than she does.

But Lily has to dive in deep to keep her promise to Tellin, her mer bond in name only, whose kingdom is suffering in the changing ocean climate. Lily knows this is a seven seas–sized problem: from sea animals dying to oil spills and threats to humans. They’ll need to create some serious waves to make the mer community aware and get it to join together to make things right. Even if that means facing one of the iciest queens in the mer kingdoms.

Just when Lily thinks her double life on land and sea can’t get any more complicated, an ancient mer law might separate Lily and Quince after all. It feels as if the pair is up against a solid tsunami wave!

In this third installment in the series that began with Forgive My Fins and Fins Are Forever, Lily will have to find a way to balance safety and justice for the mer people as well as for the humans she loves.

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

The Exiled Queen is an epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

This review might contain some spoilers for those who haven’t read the first book and an influx of fangirling. If you haven’t heard about this series and you love fantasy, Man, you’re definitely missing out on something. I absolutely adored The Demon King, but this one is soo much better I almost forgot to breathe in some scenes.

At first it was a little drag and I was trying to remember what happened in the first book. It all came back to me bit by bit as the story progresses and I couldn’t help but commend Cinda Williams Chima several times while reading it. After about 50+ pages, I was totally immersed in the story and couldn’t stop reading. It was like playing a guessing game and what happens next is ALWAYS better than what I expected. In my opinion, The Exiled Queen is almost without a flaw.

Aside from the fantastic plot and world-building, this series is also filled with remarkable characters. I adored Raisa and her strong resolve in learning how to be a soldier and face a life without her princess heir status. I could just imagine how hard it is to adjust from a life of comfort and luxury to being a cadet wherein vanity is the least of your concern. But of course, that doesn’t stop her from kissing guys she should not be kissing.

And then there is Han *dreamy sigh*. I know all fantasy heroes are supposed to be awesome, but Han Alister is more than that. He has changed so much from being a thief to a talented wizard. His passion, courage and determination made him my favorite character not only in the series but also in all YA Fantasy books. I was always looking forward to Raisa and Han’s encounter since the first book, and when that happened, my plan of going out on a Saturday dissolved. I really liked Amon but my loyalty lies with Han forever. If Raisa didn’t end up with Han, I’m gonna take him <33333. I can’t wait ‘til he finds out that Rebecca aka Raisa is the Gray Wolf princess heir.

This review probably didn’t give the book the justice it deserves. I can only prod you, people, to read and probably love it as much as I do.

Goodreads Summary: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Goodreads summary: Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life...and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last....

I'm so excited about these books! I love both John Green and Sarah Ockler and of course their books. Somehow, I know they're gonna be awesome just by reading the synopses.

What are you anxiously waiting on this week? Just leave a comment of the link to your WoW post!

I’d like to welcome author Claudia Lefeve, who was kind enough to write a guest post for Teen Readers' Diaries. Below is the playlist of all the songs that she listens to while writing Parallel.

The Playlist

Thank you Clarissa for hosting me today on Teen Readers Diary! I know you've read Parallel already, but for those that haven't, I decided to do a playlist of all the songs that I not only listened to while I wrote it, but also fit with the theme and characters of the book. I hope you enjoy!!

Ordinary World - Duran Duran

I think this is would be the main title track for Parallel. Etta is currently living in a world that is not her own, then finds herself in another. "Where is the life that I recognize? Gone away...But I won't cry for yesterday, there's an ordinary world, somehow I have to find, and as I try to make my way to the ordinary world, I will learn to survive..."

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House

"There's a ball ahead, many battles are lost, but you'll never see the end of the road while you're traveling with me." Thisis what Etta will slowly discover what's in store for her and realizes that she has Cooper right at her side, while she faces her biggest battle to come.

World In My Eyes - Depeche Mode

This fits totally with the scene where Cooper takes Etta back to her true reality. It takes some doing, but Cooper finally manages to convince Etta to take a little trip..."Let me take you on a trip, around the world and back, and you won't have to move, you just sit still...Let me show you the world in my eyes..."

Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears

Can we say evil antagonist? I won't add spoilers in this post and tell you who it is, but you'll know who I'm referring to once you read Parallel. "Welcome to your life, there's no turning back, even while we sleep, we will find you...Nothing ever lasts forever, everybody wants to rule the world."

I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend - The Ramones

This playlist wouldn't be complete without a song that's all Alex. "Hey, little girl, I wanna be your boyfriend. Sweet little girl, I wanna a be your boyfriend."

Who Do You Want to Be - Oingo Boingo

Growing up as an orphan, Etta always imagined herself as anything other than a foster kid. Not only does she have an active imagination, but supplements the void in her life by watching a lot of t.v. "Who do you want to be today? Who do you want to be?...Nothing could be worse, then when there's nothing on T.V..."

Now I'm probably dating myself with all these 80's tunes, but trust me, these songs never go out of style, and when you write a book about alternate realities and time travel, who says the 80's are dead? Paradox(book two) will probably be a bit more edgy, as there's a lot more traveling and obstacles Etta has to face to embrace her true destiny.

About the Author:

Claudia Lefevewas born and raised in Gulf Coast border town of Brownsville, Texas; a curious place where folks see curanderas in lieu of shrinks, tortillas are served at every meal, and even gringos speak Spanish. PARALLEL, the first book in the Travelers series, is her debut YA speculative novel. She currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and two pugs.

The Fury, the first installment in a series of short horror novellas, is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Parallel is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Saddled with powers she doesn't understand, Etta Fleming's world is turned upside-down the day she meets Cooper Everett, the man who transports her to an alternate reality. A reality she was meant to be a part of.

One minute, she's an orphan living at Dominion House for Girls, an institution for delinquent foster kids, then finds herself attending the exclusive Dominion Hall Academy.

Plucked from the only world she's ever known, Etta now has to deal with an aunt she never knew, a boyfriend she doesn't know, and a best friend who can't know.

PARALLEL is the first book in the Travelers Series.

Review:

I believe each one of us had already given the thought of the possibilities of Time Traveling or Psionic Abilities, but what if one day a boy you just happen to met for the first time explain these things on you and claim they're all real? I'll wager you would think he totally lost it, but again what if he divulge that its absolutely real because both of you has the abilities and deep inside, somehow you also think its true? I guess you'll reconsider your thoughts. These are one of the ideas I have come across while reading PARALLEL and maybe they were already usual topics of discussion to others but putting them all together to make up a whole story is something new and no ordinary.

The characters have their own identities that distinguish them from others and my favourite would be Etta Fleming, not because she's the protagonist but for the reason she's strong-minded, brave and has that self-confidence (that in my opinion) every girl must possess although it'll be hard to gain. Oh! I won't definitely forget to add Cooper Everett, the gorgeous and witty 'Coop'.

As for the plot, I may say I'm truly drawn. Honestly, this is the first book I've read depicting Time Travelers having Psionic Abilities because most of the books I've recently read were mostly about Vampires, Werewolves or other Paranormal fantasies so I wanted to discover new books with new characters and conflicts so I'm really grateful I have read this book because it didn't let me down. Well, the story is like a conundrum; bits and pieces of the puzzle were gradually lifted from every page you turn and the 'pieces' of that puzzle with different shapes were surprisingly suited to one another then a grand portrait was presented and it was the impression that this book leave to its readers: Beautiful and Brilliant, making its readers to wish for more.

Everything about this book is great---talking about Physics, Telekinesis and all that incredible plot and characters---however, I'm not attracted to its book cover. I find it lacklustre and I don't see its relation to the story although I think the girl was supposed to be Etta Fleming but I just don't see it as her. Regardless of the cover, this book has everything it has to offer to all the readers who wanted to take on a new journey of reading with the Travelers. Absolutely Fascinating! Two Thumbs-up!

~Have I told you this is a total cliffhanger and I can't wait to read for more? Well, be on the look out for Book 2 in the Travelers Series, PARADOXthis Fall/Winter 2011